Fishing

The fishing world around Ocean Isle Beach exploded this week with reports of big monster fish being caught. I had high expectations with a full moon and special clients coming in from West Virginia. Capt. Brant McMullan, Capt. Barrett McMullan and a unique crew of young children ventured 92 nautical miles offshore in search of a swordfish early last week. The crew was successful in landing a 245-pound swordfish, causing other anglers to ponder the idea to try out this fishery.

Last weekend it finished second in the S.H.A.R.E. King Mackerel Tournament, based out of Wrightsville Beach. As I stated in my column last week, the CCU fishing team earned top honors by placing first in the Got-Em-On King Mackerel tournament — and darn if it didn’t come out swinging again last weekend.

As a charter captain, I strive to give my customers the most enjoyable fishing experience possible on every trip. Whether that be 60 miles offshore trolling for wahoo or catching pinfish off a dock along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, I attempt to put my best foot forward. This element of being a fisherman is surprisingly the easiest to me. Simply having a good attitude and putting in the most effort possible typically results in a good day of fishing.

It seems as if our coast may never catch a break from the bad weather this year. Two weeks ago, Tropical Storm Bonnie disrupted our fishing patterns, and just as the weather is about to settle down, Tropical Storm Colin is scheduled to graze our coast as well. The good news is that after a long span of bad, turbulent sea conditions, usually a long span of calm conditions soon follows.

It is amazing how a change in the weather patterns can drastically change the fishing off our coast. This week the Brunswick County coast experienced the undecided nature of tropical storm Bonnie. As this storm originated around Tuesday and Wednesday of last week in the Caribbean, the fishing off our coast was downright incredible for this time of year. The mahi mahi were still biting in the Gulf Stream, the king mackerel and cobia were extremely aggressive in the 20-mile range, and it was all I could do to keep a Spanish mackerel off my hook while fishing along the beach.

Two weeks ago I wrote about House Bill 1122, which proposes a law be passed removing all gill nets from our coastal creeks. I have received overwhelming responses from both recreational fishermen in favor of this bill and commercial fishermen who oppose this bill.